Bangladesh: 90 Catholic Leaders Train in Interreligious Dialogue Amid Muslim Majority

Ninety Catholic priests, religious and lay leaders attended a national training program on interreligious dialogue in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, from October 15 to 17, to strengthen understanding of Islam and promote peaceful relations with people of other faiths.

Organized by the Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue (EC-CUIRD), the program was held under the theme “Understanding Islam through Dialogue: Walking Together in Hope and Peace.” Muslims make up the majority of Bangladesh’s population.

For Sister Helen Gomes, a member of the Catechist Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, the training has direct implications for her work at a school where only about 300 of its 4,000 students are Christian.

“The training enlightened my heart and mind to work with the people of Bangladesh,” Sr. Gomes said. “Now I will be able to engage more effectively in dialogue with people of other faiths.”

She said the lessons would help her strengthen relationships with students and their guardians, including Muslims and Hindus.

“We are very respectful in our school. In my pastoral life, I have not faced problems with people of other faiths,” she said. “This training will help me further build bonds of brotherhood with Muslims and Hindus.”

Holy Cross Fr. James Cruze, secretary of EC-CUIRD, said effective interreligious dialogue requires Catholics to understand their own faith while learning about the beliefs and practices of others.

“We may follow different religious traditions, but we can come together through mutual respect, friendship and a common desire for peace,” Fr. Cruze said.

James Biswas, a Catholic lay participant, said the training was relevant to everyday interactions with Muslim neighbors and colleagues.

“We live and work with our Muslim neighbors,” Biswas said. “The training taught us that we have to respect other religions.”

At the concluding session, Bishop Lawrence Subrato Howlader, CSC, of Chattogram, chairman of EC-CUIRD, highlighted the importance of maintaining interreligious relationships, particularly during periods of crisis.

Recalling the political transition in Bangladesh in 2024, he said Christian communities and institutions faced difficulties and Church leaders sought help from Muslim neighbors.

“At that time, we realized that we needed our Muslim brothers, and we took their help to solve the problems,” Bishop Howlader said.

EC-CUIRD promotes understanding among people of different religions, studies the spiritual values of other faith traditions, encourages the sharing of Christian values and publishes materials to foster mutual understanding.

For participants, the training connected interreligious dialogue with everyday relationships in schools, workplaces and local communities, emphasizing respect and peaceful coexistence across religious traditions.